Food Bank of Northwest Indiana, Walmart, Sam’s Club and Feeding America Launch “Fight Hunger. Spark Change.” Campaign to Combat Hunger in Lake and Porter Counties

One in eight Americans in communities across the U.S. struggle with hunger, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, including one in six children who face hunger in Northwest Indiana. To raise awareness and combat the issue, Walmart, Sam’s Club, Feeding America® and Food Bank of Northwest Indiana are kicking off its sixth annual nationwide “Fight Hunger. Spark Change.” (FHSC) campaign, which will run from April 22 to May 20.

Faith works at Walmart, but also volunteers her time to distribute food to neighbors in need at the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana Mobile Market. “I worked all night and came straight here. I should be tired but I feel great. This is a lot of fun.” She smiles. “I don’t make a lot of money but at least I have food. I knew I had to help.”

In partnership with Food Bank of Northwest Indiana, Walmart and Sam’s Club now invite Valparaiso, Merrillville, Schererville, Portage and Hammond shoppers to help fight hunger in their local community. There are three ways to participate – purchasing a participating item in-store or online, donating in-store  or donating on Feeding America’s website.

With 749 million meals achieved over the last five years, Northwest Indiana customers and members can help the Feeding America network secure its 1 billion cumulative meals goal in three ways. They can track the number of meals by visiting www.walmart.com/fighthunger.

  • For every participating product purchased at U.S. Walmart stores, Sam’s Clubs or on Walmart.com during the campaign, the supplier will donate the monetary equivalent of at least one meal ($0.10) on behalf of a Feeding America member food bank, up to applicable limits.
  • Donate money to your local Feeding America food bank at participating Sam’s Club and Walmart stores in the U.S.
  • Donate at feedingamerica.org/Walmart.

Walmart kickstarted the campaign with a $3 million donation to Feeding America and member food banks, including Food Bank of Northwest Indiana. A purchase of one of the 267 participating items helps secure the equivalent of one meal. Each Walmart and Sam’s Club will partner with at least one Feeding America local food bank, and the 18 participating suppliers include: Bush Brothers, Campbell’s, Conagra Brands, Cliff Bar, General Mills, Gold Peak Tea, Great Value, Hidden Valley, JM Smucker, Kellogg, Kraft Heinz, McCormick, Motts, PepsiCo, Post, Uncle Ben’s, Nature Nate’s Honey and Unilever.

“The Food Bank of Northwest Indiana is grateful for Walmart and Sam’s Club’s ongoing commitment to fighting hunger, and for leading the community to get involved and make a difference for people in need through the ‘Fight Hunger. Spark Change’ campaign,” said Steve Beekman, executive director of the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana. “This campaign allows us to raise critical awareness about hunger in the Region, secure more local funds and ultimately provide food to more individuals and families in need across Lake and Porter counties.”

At 75-years-young, walking can be a challenge for Debra. But on a cold and rainy April Saturday, Debra intended to walk more than 4 miles to Mobile Market. “I need the food,” she said. “You do what you have to do.” Thankfully a friend gave Debra a ride instead of having to walk. And thanks to donors and partners like Walmart and Sam’s Club, the Food Bank will continue providing critical food assistance to neighbors like Debra all year long.

“As we go into our sixth year of the ‘Fight Hunger. Spark Change.’ campaign, it’s exciting to approach the 1 billion mark in terms of charitable meals secured for Feeding America over the life of the program,” said Kathleen McLaughlin, chief sustainability officer for Walmart. “Food insecurity continues to affect communities across the United States. Working with Feeding America, our customers, members, associates and suppliers, Walmart and Sam’s Club aim to be part of the solution.”

Last year, Food Bank of Northwest Indiana received $53,284.16 from Walmart and Sam’s Club’s commitment to fight hunger, which provided more than 150,000 meals to hungry neighbors. Local stores have also gone above and beyond the “Fight Hunger. Spark Change.” effort by providing community grants and volunteer support to further the Food Bank mission.

To learn more about the campaign, visit www.walmart.com/fighthunger.